Computing machine



May 20 1924.

C. B. CORELL COMPUTING MACHINE if H m m m 0 r 6 w LL LL m A 2 w h Y H KCB m 7 May 20,1924. 1,494,532

. V c. B. CORELL COMPUTING MACHINE \F'IIM 1irmd 4+5 4 2; 1 22V 3 I H 738 lnventor, VII VI /Z Clifton Burt Cord],

% By Wz M At torney.

Patented May 20, 1924.

UNITED STATES 1,494,532 PATENT OFFICE.

CLIFTON BURT CORELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGN'OR T GRAFF, WASHBOURNE &DUNN, OF NEV] YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

COMPUTING MACHINE,

Application filed August 12, 1921. Serial N0. 491,678.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLIFTON BURT CoRnLL, of the city of New York,borough of Manhattan, in the State of New York. have in- 6 ventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Computing Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates particularly to an adding machine in which aseries of computing mechanisms of successive denominations areassociated and have connecting carrying devices. These mechanisms, asshown, are of the chain type and are organized to be operated singly inperforming a computa- 15 tion, as by inserting a stylus successively inlinks of the chains at the points denoting successive digits of a numberto be added and at each insertion drawing the stylus to the end of therun. The object of this invention is to provide a computing mechanism ofthis general type of substantial construction and in compact form andproperly safeguarded against erroneous computation.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings which form. a part of thisspecification:

Figure 1 is a plan broken away of a machine which embodies thisinvention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the machine on the lineIIII of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section through the computing wheels onthe line IIIIII of Figs. 1. 2 and 4:.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section through the shaft which carries thecomputing wheels on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transversevertical section through the machine showing the end movement arrestingdetents on the line V-V of Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the resetting wheels on the lineVIVI of Fig. 8. a

Fig. 7 is a transverse vertical section through the resetting wheels onthe line VII-VII of Figs. 1, 2 and 8.

45 Fig. 8 is a vertical section through the resetting mechanism on theline VIII-VIII of Fig. 7 I

Fig. 9 is a perspective view oftwo links of the chains.

The adding machine comprises a series of computing mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations each consisting of a pair of wheels of whichone is a computing wheel 10 and the other is a reset wheel 11. Bothwheels are formed with sprocket teeth and. are com nected by an endlesschain 12. A table 13 underlies the upper runs of the chains and carriesdigits which show through the links of the chains to guide the operatorin inserting the stylus for operating. Each computing mechanism exceptthe one to the extreme left is a lower computing mechanism with respectto the one immediately to the left and is connected through itscomputing wheel by a pawl 14 pivoted to the side thereof with thecomputing wheel of the next higher computing mechanism and is thecarrying device between the two mechanisms. The computing wheels areformed with sprocket teeth 15, 1.5 on the tips of which are numberswhich register the results of the computation. The teeth pass throughthe links of the chain and flanges 16, 16 at the bases of the teeth oneach side support the sides of the chain. The spaces between the teethare extended through the flanges and form internal. teeth with which thepawl engages in carrying. The wheels turn on a fixed shaft 17 and pinnedto the shaft between the successive wheels is a flanged disk 18 withinwhich the pawl is carried. The flange has an opening to permit the pawlto protrude therethrough while the wheel which carries it is making atenth of a revolution and passing forward to its zero position. The pawlengages and carries the computing wheel of the next higher computingmechanism. A spring 19. also carried by the wheel of the lower computingmechanism throws the pawl into engagement when it reaches the opening inthe flange and a pin 20 carried by the disk is engaged by the tail ofthe pawl to effect retraction of the pawl. Each chain link is an openframe with a neck and head at one end. The neck is narrower and the headis wider than the opening in the frame but the head is not as long as a.diagonal within the frame. The form is such that it can be cut fromsheet metal and the ends are bent out of the plane of the body of thelink so that the links can be hooked together by bringing them into anangular position with respect to each other and they are locked togetherwhen the sides of the links are brought into substantial alignment andso held when connecting the sprocket wheels without excessive slack.

Locators, each of which consists of a bellcrank 21 with a wheel 22 toengage the notches in the flanges and a spring 23 to 'requires.prevention.

press the. locating wheel into the flange notch, serve to assureaccurate positioning of the mechanisms.

In rapid operation-of a machine of this type there is danger of thecomputing mechanisms through their momentum traveling further than isintended and thereby registering higher than the correct totals. Suchoverthrow of the particular computing mechanism whose chain is beingengaged by the stylus, however, is prevented by the presence of thestylus in the link at the end of the run. But when there is a carry tothe next higher computing mechanism its overthrow For this purpose acarry-arresting detent 24 is inserted between each lower computingmechanism and the next higher computing mechanism. These detents arecarried by a fixed shaft :25 and each is held frictionally by a spring26 which lies in a notch in the hub of the detent and bears againstthe'shaft. A lug 27 on the reset wheel of each lower computing mechanismis positioned to engage an arm of the detent and throw the detent inpassing to the zero position and carrying the next higher computingmechanism. The detent is thereby engaged with the chain of the nexthigher. computingmechanism after it has been carried one position andthe mechanism arrested if by momentum it tends to overthrow to a secondposition. p

A universal bar 28 underlies the links of the computing mechanisms atthe ends of the runs so that it will be engaged by the stylus and pushedback at the end of each operation. This bar is carried at the ends ofarms 29, 29 which are pivoted to the sides of the frame and for thesmall are through which it travels its direction of movement issubstantially with that of the upper run of the chains. A second bar 30between the arms engages and retracts any carry arresting detent whichhas been thrown into engagement with the chain of a computing mechanism.When a carrying operation takes place at an end movement, since thecarry arresting detent is retracted from the next higher computingmechanism while parts are still in motion and it is therefore noteffective in preventing overthrow, a series of end movement arrestingdetents 31, 31 are provided. These are conveniently formed in one piecewith a rock shaft 32 and connected through an arm 33 and link 34 withthe universal bar. When after drawing the stylus to the end of- 'a runit is withdrawn the universal bar is returned and the end movementarresting detents are re tracted by a spring-35.

The mechanisms are reset by turning a crank 36 which is attached to areset shaft 37 on which the reset wheels turn. The shaft carries a comb38 with teeth 39, 39 set in a longitudinal groove in the shaft. The

reset wheels carry reset lugs 40, 40 and the comb is normally held by aspring 41 so that the lugs will pass the teeth. By pressing on a buttont2 the comb is shifted and the teeth brought into the paths of the lugs.The tooth for engagement, with first reset lug normally lies in amortise 43 and the shaft is locked thereby against rotation. To reset itis therefore necessary first to shift the comb and hold it,in shiftedposition until the revolution of the shaft has commenced. Having passedthe mortise the comb is then held in shifted position by reason of thistoot-h being stopped against the side of the frame until the shaft hasbeen turned sufficiently to reset the mechanisms. This tooth of the combthen reengages the mortise and all the teeth are disengaged from thereset lugs. The mortise is wide enough to permit a slight furthermovement and carry the teeth past the lugs so that if the crank isturned a second time without intermediate operation of the computingmechanisms there will be no further movement of the reset wheels. Anybackward movement so as to return the teeth back in front of the resetlugs when the computing mechanisms are in zero position is prevented bya pawl 44.

Under the table are transverse guides L5, 45 which support a writingtablet 46 which can be drawn out through a slot in one side of the frameand used for noting totals or other purposes. A lug 4-7 on the undersideof the tablet prevents complete withdrawal and removal.

i I claim,

1. In an adding machine comprising a se ries of computing mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations each having a computing toothed wheel withshoulders at the bases of the teeth for suitable engagement by thechain, one of the shoulders being undercut to form a flange, the spacesbeing extended through the flange to form internal teeth in combinationwith a carrying device between each wheel and the next for engagementwith the internal teeth.

. 2. In an adding machine comprising a series of computing mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations and carrying devices connecting each mechanismwith the next, the combination of a frictionally held carry arrestingdetent between each lower computing mechanism and the next highercomputing mechanism, and means operated by each lower computingmechanism at the time of carrying to throw the carry arresting detentinto engagement with the next higher computing mechanism.

3. In an adding machine comprising a series of computing mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations and carrying devices connecting each mechanismwith the next, thecombination of a carry arresting detent between eachlower computing mechanism and the next higher computing mechanism, meansoperated by each lower computing mechanism at the time of carrying tothrow the carry arresting detent into engagement with the next highercomputing mechanism, and means associated for operation with the endmovements of the computing mechanisms to retract the carry arrestingdetents.

4:. In an adding machine comprising a series of computing, mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations and carrying devices connecting each mechanismwith the next, the combination of a carry arresting detent between eachlower computing mechanism and the next higher computing mechanism, endmovement arresting detents, means operated by each lower computingmechanism at the time of carrying to throw the carry arresting detentinto engagement with the 'next higher computing mechanism, and

means associated for operation with the end movements of the computingmechanisms to retract the carry arresting detents and to engage the endmovement arresting detents.

5. In an adding machine comprising a series of computing mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations each consisting of a pair of wheels connectedby an endless chain and carrying devices connecting each mechanism withthe next, the combination of carry arresting detents between each lowercomputing mechanism and' the next higher computing mechanism, and meansoperated from a wheel of the lower computing mechanism at the time ofcarrying to throw the carry arresting detent into engagement with thechain of the next higher computing mechanism.

6. In an adding machine comprising a series of computing mechanisms ofsuces sive denominations each consisting of a pair of wheels connectedby an endless chain and carrying devices connecting each mechanism withthe next, the combination of carry arresting detents between each lowercomputing mechanism and the next higher through which computingmechanism, end movement arresting detents, means operated from a wheelof the lower computing mechanism at the time of carrying to throw thecarry arresting detent into engagement with the chain of the next highercomputing mechanism, and means associated for operation with the endmovements of the computing mechanisms to retract the carry arrestingdetents and to engage the end movement arresting detents.

7. In an adding machine comprising a series of computing mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations each consisting of a pair of wheels connectedby an endless chain through which it is operated and carrying devicesconnecting each mechanism with the next, the combination of carryarresting detents between each lower computing mechanism and the nexthigher computing mechanism, means operated from a wheel of each lowercomputing mechanism at the time of carrying to throw the carry arrestingdetent into engagement with the chain of the next higher computingmechanism, and means for operation with the end movements of thecomputing mechanisms for retracting the carry arresting detents.

8. In an adding machine comprising a series of computing mechanisms ofsuccessive denominations each consisting of a pair of wheels connectedby an endless chain it is operated and carrying devices connecting eachmechanism with the next, the combination of carry arresting detentsbetween each lower computing mechanism and the next higher computingmechanism, end movement arresting detents, means operated by each lowercomputing mechanism at the time of carrying to throw the carry arrestingdetent into engagement with the next higher computing mechanism, andmeans for operation with the end move ments of the computing mechanismsfor retracting the carry arresting detents and engaging the end movementarresting detents.

CLIFTON BURT CORELL.

